Chuseok Spread

This post has been delayed because I haven’t been able to think of anything intelligent or snarky to say. So when I can’t think of anything, I guess it’s time for FOOD PORN!!

I was invited to my first official Chuseok ceremony a few weeks ago. I had been to eat great feasts at friends’ houses during Chuseok in the past, but this was my first time to experience the real ceremony with the ceremonial food.

Two tables were set up. On the left, with the message on the back for the ancestors, were light soups, whole grilled fish, jeon ì „ (savory pancakes and fried goodies), a really good tender octopus, fried tofu, slabs of beef and pork, a whole chicken, marinated bean sprouts, fiddlehead ferns, a type of root vegetable (I was told it wasn’t todok), jujubes and chestnuts, a Korean pear, apple, and persimmon. Here’s another view.

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The table on the right was more on the same theme.

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After the ceremony was over, and the ancestors had spiritually had their fill, it was time for us to eat the leftovers.

A really good fresh kimchi.

BEEF!! Marinated in soy sauce.

Lots of fried stuff. I particularly liked the batter fried fish. It’s in there somewhere.

The dipping sauce worked with everything. I ate so much that I forgot to get down much of my rice–especially with all the rice wine being poured.